CAQ says it has ‘restored good governance’ in digital projects

Quebec Treasury Board president, Minister Responsible for Government Administration and Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology France-Elaine Duranceau responds to the Opposition during question period at the legislature in Quebec City, Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

“We will be the government that has restored good governance to deliver digital projects,” said France-Élaine Duranceau, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Affairs, on Wednesday.

During a parliamentary committee hearing, she was bombarded with questions by the opposition regarding another IT quagmire, the Health Network’s Finance and Procurement Information System (SIFA).

Duranceau defended her government’s record by arguing that only a minority of projects exceeded deadlines and budgets.

But many questions remain regarding SIFA, which has been harshly criticized, notably by the Public Procurement Authority (AMP).

The project, currently suspended due in part to skyrocketing costs, has been the subject of at least three warnings to the government, including an audit, as noted in committee.

Nevertheless, “Santé Québec believes the project must move forward,” Duranceau stated.

Discussions are underway with the supplier, LGS, and termination remains on the table.

However, this would result in a $150 million penalty, which is also currently being renegotiated; furthermore, royalties are still being paid to LGS—$218,000 per month from October to February, and $723,000 per month since March.

LGS, which was also involved in the SAAQclic fiasco, still has a registered lobbying mandate today to “engage with clients to monitor service delivery for contracts already awarded.”

In 2022, the development cost of the SIFA project was estimated at $96.2 million, whereas Santé Québec now estimates this cost at approximately $330 million, including nearly $230 million in external contract-related expenses, as noted by the AMP.

The original project lead was the CIUSSS of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

“It wasn’t normal for the CIUSSS (of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean) to be handling such a massive project,” acknowledged Duranceau.

When asked whether her Cybersecurity Ministry had sufficient authority to fulfill its role, she replied: “There are things that need to be reviewed, that’s for sure.”

Her predecessor, Gilles Bélanger, who now sits as an independent member of the National Assembly, claimed that his ministry was a watchdog without powers.

When asked to give examples of digital projects that were working well, she pointed out that only four per cent of the 139 digital projects currently being led by the government are exceeding budget, and only 17 per cent are exceeding deadlines.

“I am satisfied with the projects overall,” she concluded.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on May 27, 2026.